The Sports Statue on Gallowtree Gate, Leicester
After a period of success for the football, cricket and rugby teams around the turn of the millennium, Leicester was for some time dubbed (by the local press and local inhabitants at least) the sporting capital of the UK, and a statue commemorating this period was erected in the centre of Leicester.
Celebrates a great Christmas in the wonderful city of Leicester…
Wrap up warm and head to Leicester this Christmas where a range of unmissable experiences await during the festive season. Set against the backdrop of the city’s twinkling lights; you’ll find an eclectic mix of cultural offerings, gift inspiration – from handmade to high street, and culinary delights for when your feet, and your credit card, need a break! Find out What’s On below.
Beauty and the Beast
Northern Ballet’s Beauty and The Beast - World Premiere
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Northern Ballet at Leeds Grand Theatre and this year they continue this tradition with a new production of ‘Beauty & the Beast’.
Discover the magic that can happen when you look beneath the surface.
A handsome Prince is transformed into a Beast as punishment for his ugly arrogance. Only true love can break the spell – but who could love a monster like him? A beautiful young woman is sent to live with the Beast. Despite the riches and attention he lavishes upon her, she is unable to love him as anything more than a friend. As this classic story unfolds in an enchanting world inhabited by fairies, sprites and goblins, we discover that beauty is more than skin deep.
See the Company sparkle in a kaleidoscope of colour and Haute couture-style costumes, as breathtaking dancing is accompanied by an infectious score including music by Bizet, Debussy, Poulenc and Fauré, played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Set to delight adults and children alike, book now as Northern Ballet bring a new magic to this timeless fairytale.
At Leeds Grand Theatre from Saturday 17 – Saturday 31 December 2011
Tickets available from £10.00 – £39.50
Christmas at Shugborough
Photostory: Christmas at the magical estate of Shugborough.
Sadly we’ve missed out on this year’s festivities and they sold out very quickly, but definitely something to put in the diary for next year. And what a spectacular photo, we couldn’t resist sharing it with you.
Come and marvel at the elegant Mansion House, filled with fresh flowers carefully crafted into exhilarating displays and complemented by the flickering lights of hundreds of candles. Festive foliage taken from the estate’s 900 acres adorns roaring fireplaces while enormous Christmas trees fill the grandest state rooms.
The Candlelit Christmas Evenings is the time you can see the imposing 300-year-old cut glass chandelier in the Red Drawing Room candlelit and is also the best time of year to admire the state dining room table filled with festive fare and laid with the striking family silver.
In the working Servants’ Quarters the maids will be busily preparing for Christmas in the kitchen, laundry and brewhouse using traditional Victorian equipment. The outside areas will be filled with traditional entertainment, a nativity scene and decorated with hundreds of fairy lights, making this a truly magical experience.
A busy craft and fine food marquee will be set against the backdrop of the striking mansion. Here craft workers, specialist food sellers and stalls selling exclusive giftware will be exhibiting.
More information at: www.shugborough.org.uk
Portsmouth Santa Run
Portsmouth’s annual Santa Fun run. The event will take place on Sunday 11th December. There are two runs, a 5k and a 10k. This is a family event with proceeds going to the RNLI, all participants are provided with a Santa suit and get a mince pie, drink and medal with gifts for participating children. www.visitportsmouth.co.uk
Dickensian Christmas - Rochester - 3 & 4 December
The Dickens Christmas Market at Rochester Castle - 30 November to 18 December.
For further information click here.
Who's this famous Christmas character?
What country might this man be from?
Lego Tourist
Lego Tourist has been resident in Leeds since August 2010. He was discovered in Hamley’s and now lives happily with his guardian Leanne Buchan www.twitter.com/LeanneBuchan . His mission is to travel the world seeking out places and people who are off the beaten path – things you might not find in an official guide book.
He has a Facebook page www.facebook.com/LegoTourist which is fast becoming a space for travellers and tourists who have had the pleasure of Lego Tourist’s company to share stories and tips. These are not necessarily tips on anything grand or expensive – it could be a pub you found along the way that sells Guinness or a special place that made your holiday.
Lego Tourist is always looking for new companions to take him on exciting trips. If you want to borrow him, post on his page and if he likes the look of you, he’ll get in touch. All you have to do is take photos of him on your travels and share them with any interesting tales of places you find together.
The rules of Lego Tourist are simple:
1. Do NOT lose him. 2. Take pictures of him on his travels. 3. Share pictures and stories on this page. 4. Send him back in one piece, so that he can continue his travels.
Why not head over to his page and show him some love today?
These photos show him enjoying a day trip around Leeds attractions, The Hyde Park Picture House, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds City Museum.
Spoon dragon
All great children’s stories include a dragon, and for those old enough to remember the 1970’s children’s TV series The CLANGERS, you’ll remember the Soup Dragon..well here is Sheffield’s very own SPOON DRAGON…a great way of telling the story of Sheffield’s industrial heritage. If you’ve ever bought any decent cutlery, you’re likely to find SHEFFIELD stamped on it, and if you’ve only every bought the cheap stuff you’ll regret it – Sheffield made cutlery and silverware is amongst the best in the world. Still made in the city today, and used all over the world. Indeed, the President of the USA uses SHEFFIELD made salad servers in the White House…
We’re really proud of the heritage of the industry, but its not all in the past – today, contemporary silversmiths are at work, making beautiful pieces of tableware, jewellery, knives… shining examples of how the city’s heritage is an integral part of the future. The SPOON DRAGON lives at the Millennium Gallery in the centre of Sheffield, contemporary silversmiths can be found at Yorkshire Artspace (artspace.org.uk)
The Craft Garden ©Phil Mellor @monkeyson
The Craft Garden: A world of creation hidden in the forgotten depths of Leeds Town Hall. The dark Victorian prison cells were transformed from incarceration to inspiration by the power of crafters into enticing, exciting gardens, showcasing the handmade, homespun, much-loved talents of craft artists from Leeds craft club.
Each year for one night in October, Light Night takes over the city of Leeds offering an evening of extraordinary activities. This year over 40 venues and 75 events lit up the city. Visitors saw actors, poets, musicians and artists sharing their work. Events stretched across the city centre, from the University to the river with events delighting and intriguing all ages.
Visit www.lightnightleeds.co.uk and check out more images in the Light Night Leeds Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightnight_leeds/
For more information:
Leeds Corn Exchange – photo credit Rick Harrison http://www.fortybelowzero.com/
These fantastic photo doodles were created by the Leeds based artist Phil Wall from Project Photo Doodle when he designed this month’s banner for the Culture Vulture blog.
Phil says “The aim of my project is to doodle on as many parts of the world as possible via people’s lovely photos sent to me from all over by email. Anyone can help and get involved just by donating a photo!”
If you want Phil to doodle on your photo just send him an email with your picture attached and some info about the location and where you’re from. Phil will credit you and if you’re an artist/photographer, he will link to your website.
You can send your photos to Phil to doodle on at philwallart@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilWallArt
Leeds skyline at dusk – photo credit Rick Harrison http://www.fortybelowzero.com/
